Name:_____________________________ Class:_________________ Date:_____________
Earth Science- Ms. Gill
Heat Transfer through Radiation lab
“RADIATION DAY”
Objective: To discover why earth’s surfaces increase in temperature at different rates.
DO NOW:
Bowl of Hot Soup:
Which spoon would heat up faster when placed in a bowl of very
hot soup, a wooden spoon or a metal spoon? Explain your answer
in terms of specific heat, which spoon has the lower specific
heat. Why?
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Procedure:
NOTE: DO NOT TURN THE LAMPS ON YET!!!
1. You will work in groups of four to complete this Lab. If your paper has an “A” in the top right
corner, you and your partner will be monitoring the SAND AND WATER cups. If your paper
has a “B” in the top right corner, you and your partner will be monitoring the BLACK AND
SILVER cans.
2. Both groups are responsible for both sets of data so it is important to communicate to each
other.
3. Group A: Assure that the SAND AND WATER cups are arranged as shown in the diagram on
the next page. Place the cans equally distant from the lamp, about 10cm away. Be sure the
thermometers don’t touch the can sides or bottom.
4. Group B: Assure that the BLACK AND SILVER cans are arranged as shown in the diagram on
the next page. Place the cans equally distant from the lamp, about 10cm away. Place a
thermometer in each cup, making sure the bulb is about half way through the cup’s contents.
5. Allow the thermometers to adjust to the room temperature.
6. The class is going to keep time together, so on the report sheet, record the temperature of
each thermometer at time 0 when the time is started. Also turn on your lamps at this point.
7. You will have two minutes to accomplish two tasks: First, trade data with the group across
from you , so you have information for both experiments. Second, work with your table to
answer the question on the board. Work quietly this is a competition.
8. Continue to record the temperatures at two minute intervals for ten minutes, during each
interval, trade data and answer the questions provided on the smart board.
9. After 10 minutes, and without disturbing the positions of the cans, turn off the lamp and
move it away from the cans. CONTINUE TIMING.
10. Continue to take temperature readings every two minutes for another ten minutes.
Predictions:
1. Predict which cup will heat up fastest, the cup of sand or the cup of water? Explain your
choice!______________________________________________________________
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2. Predict which can will heat up fastest, the silver can or the black can? Explain your
choice!______________________________________________________________
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Data Tables:
Group A: Sand Versus Water
Time
0
2
4
6
8
10
Sand Cup
Water Cup
Group B: Silver Can Versus Black Can
Silver Can
Black Can
Turn off lights, but do NOT stop the watches, continue to take readings.
12
14
16
18
20
22
Graphs:
Directions: Construct a graph for each set up. Use a different colored pencil for each line and
complete the key.
Temperature (°C) Versus Time (min) of Sand and Water Cups
Key:
Sand
⃝
Water
⃝
Temperature (°C) Versus Time (min) of Silver and Black Cans
Key:
Sand
⃝
Water
⃝
Conclusion Questions for sand and water:
1. How did the heat energy received by the cup of soil compare to the heat energy received by the cup of
water?
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2. Which cup heated up more rapidly?______________ Which cup heated up slower?________
3. Using the graph, compare the slopes of the water to the slope of the sand, which one is steeper?
________________ What does this indicate?____________________________
4. State the relationship between slope and rate of change:
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5. Which is a better absorber of heat energy, soil or water? ___________________________
6. Explain your answer to question five in terms of specific heat:
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7. Calculate the rate of change for each cup for the intervals shown. Show all work.
Cup
0 minutes to 10 minutes
10 minutes to 22 minutes
Sand
Water
Conclusion Questions for Black Can Vs. Silver Can:
1. How did the heat energy received by the black can compare to the heat energy received by the silver
can?
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2. Which can heated up more rapidly?______________ Which can heated up slower?________
3. Using the graph, compare the slopes of the black can to the slope of the silver can, which one is steeper?
________________ What does this indicate?____________________________
5. Which is a better absorber of heat energy, black or silver? __________________________
6. Explain your answer to question five in terms of absorption and reflection:
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7. Calculate the rate of change for each cup for the intervals shown. Show all work.
Can
0 minutes to 10 minutes
10 minutes to 22 minutes
Black
Silver
Conclusion Question for the Interaction of Radiation and Earth’s Surfaces:
1) What surface characteristics affect the rate of heating and cooling?
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2) What type of electromagnetic energy was the heat source for this experiment?
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3) Why was it important to place each can/cup an equal distance from the lamp?
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4) What type of electromagnetic energy was re-radiated as the cups/ cans cooled down?
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5) Compare the wavelengths of the energy absorbed to the wavelength of the energy re-radiated.
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6) If you know that a surface is a good absorber of energy, what can you infer about its ability to
radiate energy?
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Conclusion: Write a short paragraph summarizing your understanding of the interaction between
radiation and earth’s different surfaces. Use at least five of vocabulary words of these vocabulary
words: Electromagnetic spectrum, visible light, prism, ozone, absorption, reflection, temperature,
specific heat, reradiation, and infrared radiation.
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